Spring 2016 Applicants...? Is there anyone else?

[J_Phil]

So I'm applied to two schools from whom I have not received a decision yet. Fletcher, at Tufts, and the School of International Service at American University. I should hear from both in the two or three weeks, but the anticipation is killing me, especially because I'm planning a cross-country move in a beat up Honda with 316k miles. Is anyone else applying to these schools, or any schools, for Spring?

Does anyone know if these schools might release decisions earlier than expected? 

[StyLeD]

Wow. Someone else who applied for Spring admissions in the IR/Public Policy field! They say we are an incredibly small cohort and it sure looks like it. 

I applied to Tufts Fletcher, UD Korbel, Columbia SIPA, Georgetown SSP, and GWU Elliot.

I've called Tufts - they seem to stick by what they've listed on their website (November 15th) as their deadline for final notices. As for SIS, I do not know.  

May I ask - why Spring? 

Edited November 3, 2015 by StyLeD

[J_Phil]

For me, I graduate in Fall, 2015, and want to go straight on to my Master's. Also, I'd really like to have two summers to do external programs.

I didn't know SIPA or SSP were accepting applications for Spring. I looked at Elliot but didn't like the available programs.

What attracted you to apply for Spring? Also, if I can ask, what is your background? (I'll be honest, I just want to know who I am competing with; but also it would be nice to meet someone beforehand, assuming we are both admitted!). 

[niaowedsnerd]

I had applied for Spring 2016 for a Master's degree program in Neural Systems & Computation offered by ETH Zürich and University of Zürich (jointly). The deadline for the application was 15th September. I was interviewed on 11th October, and received my final decision on 27th October (I got accepted ).

Wish you guys good luck

[StyLeD]

On 11/3/2015, 3:31:31, J_Phil said:

For me, I graduate in Fall, 2015, and want to go straight on to my Master's. Also, I'd really like to have two summers to do external programs.

I didn't know SIPA or SSP were accepting applications for Spring. I looked at Elliot but didn't like the available programs.

What attracted you to apply for Spring? Also, if I can ask, what is your background? (I'll be honest, I just want to know who I am competing with; but also it would be nice to meet someone beforehand, assuming we are both admitted!). 

Sure thing - there's no point dwelling about competition since we've both submitted our applications already. At this point I wish us both the best of luck! 

I graduated from American University with a great but not amazing GPA. Acceptable GRE scores at 162/160/4.5. Majored in International Studies with a regional focus on East Asia. I'm hoping to narrow my education to international security, hence my applications to SSP and Korbel. I'd be thrilled to get into any of the 5 graduate schools I applied to, especially because I made 1-2 typos in my applications. Assuming I get multiple acceptances, financial aid will be a huge factor in where I decide to go.

I'm applying to spring because I have to - I received late notice about a fellowship in early January that pays for some of graduate school. I made the argument that beginning grad apps in January was unrealistic, and we agreed that I would apply for Spring. At the time, I hadn't realized how few schools had spring admissions. I didn't know SIPA had spring admissions until very late in the process - they didn't advertise it until 2-3 weeks remained prior to the deadline, and I didn't know until a friend at SIPA told me. 

Since my alma mater is American - I'd be happy to answer any questions you have about their programs and faculty! I've taken several graduate courses at SIS during my time as an UG. I'd also be interested to learn more about your background.

@Izospwox Congratulations!! It is always a good feeling to receive that final acceptance letter. Your career track seems quite different from mine, so I wish you the best. I'm very glad that there are very short turnarounds for spring applications - it reflects a small applicant pool and an even smaller cohort.

 

 

Edited November 6, 2015 by StyLeD

[J_Phil]

12 hours ago, StyLeD said:

Sure thing - there's no point dwelling about competition since we've both submitted our applications already. At this point I wish us both the best of luck! 

Best of luck to you, as well. With your GRE and background at American, you likely have a better shot at Fletcher than I do. I'm coming from a California State school and, before that, an online associates from when I was in the military. My GRE came out with (162/155/4.5) V/Q/A. Also, if you care to read my essays, I have them posted in another forum, and they can shed some light for you on my burning desire to attend Fletcher and my experience abroad.

In my communication with American, I feel like they are probably going to accept me and, given that Fletcher is as competitive as it is, I've begun to look more in detail at D.C.. What can you tell me about the CRS (Middle East) program? Any professors in particular I should avoid, and conversely which are the best to take? I'm also trying to find the class schedule for Spring online, but am unable to find it. Can you link me to it, or is it only available to matriculated students?

[StyLeD]

41 minutes ago, J_Phil said:

Best of luck to you, as well. With your GRE and background at American, you likely have a better shot at Fletcher than I do. I'm coming from a California State school and, before that, an online associates from when I was in the military. My GRE came out with (162/155/4.5) V/Q/A. Also, if you care to read my essays, I have them posted in another forum, and they can shed some light for you on my burning desire to attend Fletcher and my experience abroad.

In my communication with American, I feel like they are probably going to accept me and, given that Fletcher is as competitive as it is, I've begun to look more in detail at D.C.. What can you tell me about the CRS (Middle East) program? Any professors in particular I should avoid, and conversely which are the best to take? I'm also trying to find the class schedule for Spring online, but am unable to find it. Can you link me to it, or is it only available to matriculated students?

Never underestimate the power of a military background. I've had many, many internships but to this day interviewers look at my NJROTC experience (high school, not even military) and bring that up before anything else  And I'm not just saying that facetiously - military experience suggests several positive character attributes about the applicant. But of course you already know this. 

As for AU, I would recommend browsing this site: http://www.american.edu/provost/registrar/schedule/schedule-results.cfm?term=2016SN&subj=SIS&search=&mode=title&stat=ALL&hr=&mn=&ampm=AM&class=Browse+Subject

Their website is quite unwieldy so I linked the direct database search result. Anything SIS-500 and above are for graduate students. Unfortunately I am not familiar with their CRS program. One great thing, however, about AU is that we have student reviews of professors & their classes posted online each semester (AU students only). If you enroll, you will be able to gauge each professor based on student reviews (out of 7) about their overall experience in the class, class toughness, the grade they anticipate getting (and the GPA they currently have), and how much they took away from the curriculum. From experience, I would absolutely pay attention to the ratings. The reviews are anonymous and will serve as a warning sign for professors that focus too much on traveling/research than on teaching. 

One of our school *notables* is Akhbar Ahmed. SIS has a "lounge" of sorts for their distinguished faculty. I worked there as a lowly intern for a semester (for a different professor) so I've seen Professor Ahmed entertain several high profile guests over the course of the year. Because my background is not in the Middle East, I can only tell you that you picked the right school to study that region. A disproportionate of the SIS undergraduate curriculum lay in Middle Eastern studies and/or terrorism, which was frustrating to me as an Asia major but will be great for you.

 

Edited November 6, 2015 by StyLeD